Rye to Honor War Dead on Memorial Day – Parade & Ceremonies
Once again, the City of Rye will carry on its tradition of honoring deceased veterans on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018.
(PHOTO: The Memorial Day parade along Purchase Street.)
Rye American Legion Post 128 and the Auxiliary will sponsor a parade, beginning at the Rye Train Station at 9:30 a.m. and proceeding along Purchase Street to the Village Green for ceremonies at 10:30 a.m.
The public is invited to enjoy music, marchers, trucks and cars. The Rye Historical Society will provide horses and riders. Unique antique cars will also travel the parade route.
(PHOTO: The 2018 keynote speaker will be Rye resident and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Ken Rathje.)
At 10:30 a.m., American Legion Post 128 Commander Fred de Barros will begin the formal ceremony on the Village Green. Rye City Mayor Josh Cohn will greet guests. The keynote speaker will be Rye resident and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Ken Rathje. New York State Senator-elect Mayer, members of the Rye City Council and the Rye Board of Education will also be in attendance. The annual Rye American Legion Post 128 Americanism Award will also be presented.
The ceremony features the traditional reading of the Gettysburg Address and the reading of the names of those from Rye who fought and perished in the wars of the 20th century. The John M. Kingery Memorial Day Essay Contest Awards will be presented to winning Rye High School students. The program will also include recognition of Rye Eagle Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Robin Latimer, president of the American Legion Auxiliary will sing the National Anthem and God Bless America. She will be accompanied by students from Milton School.
Prior to the parade, members of the Rye Fire Department will conduct a brief ceremony and lay flowers at the monument in the circle at Milton Road and Grace Church Street at 8:15 a.m. The monument honors Rye firefighters who served their nation.
The public is invited to attend the parade and all ceremonies.
More About Keynote Speaker Ken Rathje
Kenneth W. Rathje, Jr. is currently the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for FEMA Region II covering New York, New Jersey, the Caribbean Islands and all federally recognized tribes within these states. In this capacity he is on point to implement the concepts and principles of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) throughout the Region and the Nation, often leading interagency teams of over 20 Other Federal Agencies.
As a Colonel in the US Army Reserves, he served on the Army Senior Staff as well as commanded at the Brigade level in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ken’s education includes a B.S. Degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a MBA Degree from Monmouth University and a Masters of Strategic Studies Degree from the U.S. Army War College. His highest military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge. He has also earned the Ranger Tab and the Army Parachutist Badge.
